Next Renewable Fuels selects site for proposed biofuel plant

On March 20, Next Renewable Fuels announced it has selected 94 acres to lease from the Port of Columbia County in Oregon for development of its proposed renewable diesel plant.

The news follows an announcement made earlier in the month in which the company said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council and the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters for the construction of the $1.1 billion project. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce more than 37,000 barrels per day, or approximately 567 MMgy.

According to information released by Next Renewable Fuels, the 94-acre of parcel of land is currently being rezoned. It sits adjacent to the 25-acre parcel of land the company purchased from the Teevin Pros in February.

The company said it has amended the site development and option agreement it entered into with the port in September 2018 to reflect the selection of the 94-acre property adjacent to its 25-acre plot. The two parties entered that agreement after the Port of Columbia County board of commissioners voted to approve moving forward with the biofuels project.

“By selecting this parcel of port property, Next is affirming its commitment to Port Westward and Columbia County, said Lou Soumas, president of Next, in a statement. “We will be working closely with the Port and other stakeholders to successfully complete the rezoning of these 94 acres while we move forward with the development and permitting of our other property at the Port.”

Next Renewable Fuels currently expects the biorefinery to begin operations in 2021. In February, the company announced it has entered into a long-term purchase and sales agreement with Shell Trading (US) Co. for the purchase of renewable diesel from the proposed plant.